Monday, May 30, 2016

Medal of Honor Monday: Morris E. Crain

"He led his platoon against powerful German forces during the struggle to enlarge the bridgehead
across the Moder River. With great daring and aggressiveness he
spearheaded the platoon in killing 10 enemy soldiers, capturing 12 more
and securing its objective near an important road junction. Although
heavy concentrations of artillery, mortar and self-propelled gunfire
raked the area, he moved about among his men during the day, exhorting
them to great efforts and encouraging them to stand firm. He carried
ammunition and maintained contact with the company command post,
exposing himself to deadly enemy fire. At nightfall the enemy barrage
became more intense and tanks entered the fray to cover foot troops
while they bombarded our positions with grenades and rockets. As
buildings were blasted by the Germans, the Americans fell back from
house to house. T/Sgt. Crain deployed another platoon which had been
sent to his support and then rushed through murderous tank and
small-arms fire to the foremost house, which was being defended by 5 of
his men. With the enemy attacking from an adjoining room and a tank
firing pointblank at the house, he ordered the men to withdraw while he
remained in the face of almost certain death to hold the position.
Although shells were crashing through the walls and bullets were hitting
all around him, he held his ground and with accurate fire from his smg killed 3 Germans. He was killed when the building was
destroyed by the enemy. T/Sgt. Crain's outstanding valor and intrepid
leadership enabled his platoon to organize a new defense, repel the
attack and preserve the hard-won bridgehead."